Purim is here to remind us to question and confound the idea of wickedness and goodness. It is striking to celebrate Purim in a time when good and evil feel so stark and clear.
What is the value, then, of flipping things on their head? Of turning things upside down? Of truly getting to a place where we can not tell the difference?
The answer might be in the Book of Esther itself. Chapter 4 begins with a clear Mordechai and an Esther who does not yet know the difference. Perhaps fear, or retaining her position of privilege made it harder for her to act at this point in the story. The commandment on this and every Purim to get confused about good and evil serves as a day-long check – are we afraid? Are we clinging to privilege? Are we clear-eyed in our assessments and actions?
Whether inspired by Mordechai and the Jews of the empire of Persia who dressed in sackcloth and ashes to raise questions publicly and inspire action of others – especially those in power…or by Jews who sat at the gates of a contemporary palace wailing and mourning the decrees of today's “leaders,” let us find inspiration to raise our voices and act. To reverse the decree.
Happy Purim & Shabbat shalom!
R’ David
What is the value, then, of flipping things on their head? Of turning things upside down? Of truly getting to a place where we can not tell the difference?
The answer might be in the Book of Esther itself. Chapter 4 begins with a clear Mordechai and an Esther who does not yet know the difference. Perhaps fear, or retaining her position of privilege made it harder for her to act at this point in the story. The commandment on this and every Purim to get confused about good and evil serves as a day-long check – are we afraid? Are we clinging to privilege? Are we clear-eyed in our assessments and actions?
Whether inspired by Mordechai and the Jews of the empire of Persia who dressed in sackcloth and ashes to raise questions publicly and inspire action of others – especially those in power…or by Jews who sat at the gates of a contemporary palace wailing and mourning the decrees of today's “leaders,” let us find inspiration to raise our voices and act. To reverse the decree.
Happy Purim & Shabbat shalom!
R’ David
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